As I recall from the last legislative session, promises were made to some of the newbies that some of their important, but socially hot button issues, were going to be delayed until this current session. Now it appears that the leadership class of both parties have agreed to move the funnel dates for this session up two weeks to prevent controversial, non-budget issues to be brought up to avoid controversy and to get back home to begin campaigning. Gone are two weeks from the session. Take a look.

The Senate filed SCR 101 on the first day of session, January 13, 2014 and it was immediately placed on their calendar, seen here on page 9 of Senate Journal.

As soon as it was placed on the calendar, Senator Gronstal asked for and received unanimous consent to immediately consider SCR 101, indicated on page 10 of Senate Journal.

Then Senator Gronstal made the motion to adopt SCR 101 and the motion prevailed by a voice vote. SCR 101 was immediately messaged to the House (also on page 10 of the Senate Journal).

On the second day of the session, January 14, 2014, Representative Upmeyer asked for and received unanimous consent to immediately consider HCR 104 (which is identical to SCR 101) – This is on page 50 of the House Journal.

SCR 101 was substituted for HCR 104 and Representative Windschitl made the motion to adopt SCR 101 and the motion prevailed by a voice vote, seen on pages 51 and 52 of House Journal.

Almost no legislator outside of leadership – either Republican or Democrat – that realized what they voted on. They just trusted the process.

Now many of the pieces of legislation and issues which politicians ran on will be left on the early funnel room floor. A number of legislators feel like their leadership has played them. They may have a case. There are some very unhappy legislators.